Sewing-machine.



W. SHAW.

SEWING MACHINE.

(Application filed June 8, 1899.) (No Model.)

Patented Sept. II, I900.

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

Patented Sept. H, I900.

W. SHAW.

SEWING MACHINE.

Application filed June 8, 1899.)

2 Sheeis-Sheet 2,

(No Model.)

UNi'rnD STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WVILLIAM SHAW, OF RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA.

SEWING- MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 657,680, datedSeptember 11, 1900.

Application filed June 8, 1899. Serial No. 719,824. (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM SHAW, a citizen of the United States,residing at Rapid City, in the county of Pennington and State of SouthDakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSpringTreadles for Sewing-Machines or other Foot-Power Machines; and Ido declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe-invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in foot-powermachines, and more especially sewing-machines, &c.; and its primaryobject is to provide a spring-support for the treadle, which therebyavoids the use of ordinary bearings.

A further object is to provide a device of this character whereby asmooth, easy, and regular action is obtained.

To these ends the invention consists in the novel construction andcombination of parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed andillustrated in the accompanying drawings, showing the preferred form ofmy invention, and in which Figure 1 is a front elevation thereof applied to a sewing-machine. Fig. 2 is a detailed view showing the meansfor attaching the spring to the bracket. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan View ofthe treadle, and Fig. 4 is a transverse section through the treadle.

Referring to said figures by numerals of reference, 1 l are thestandards of the sewing-machine, to which is secured a casting 2 ofordinary construction and within which is journaled the crank-shaft 3 ofthe wheel 4. The casting is provided at the bottom with a cross-strip 5,to the ends of which are secured forwardly-extending brackets 6. Securedto the free end of each bracket is one end of a leaf-spring 7 of anysuitable construction. This spring is preferably secured to said bracketby means of a plate 8,-which rests thereon and is connected to thebracket by means of bolts or screws 9, as shown. Each of these springsis secured at its forward end to the treadle 10 at a point preferablybetween the center and the rear edge thereof. A cross-strip 11 extendslongitudinally of the treadle and bolts 12 pass therethrough and throughthe ends of the springs 7 into engagement with a plate 13 upon the uppersurface of the treadle. Straps 14 of leather or other suit able materialbind the treadle to the crossstrip 5, thereby limiting the upwardmovement of said treadle and permitting a steady motion thereof. An arm15 extends from the rear end of the treadle and is connected by means ofa pitman 16 to the crank-shaft 3.

When the treadle is depressed by the toe of the foot, it will be seenthat as the brackets are stationary the springs 7 will bend downward,carrying the pitman therewith, and the recoil thereof will facilitatethe upward movement of the pitman. It is obvious that when the pitmanand the crank are on a dead-center the machine maybe readily started bypressing upon the tread le, which will cause the same to swing slightlyforward.

By this construction, as before stated, the friction bearings commonlyemployed in treadles are dispensed with.

In the foregoing description I have shown the preferred form of myinvention; but I do not limit myself thereto, as I am aware thatmodifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit orsacrificing any of the advantages thereof, and I therefore reserve theright to make all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of myinvention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- l. The combination withstandards, of a cross-strip therebetween, brackets extending from thecross-strip, leaf-springs secured at one end to the brackets, a treadlesecured to the opposite ends of the springs, and straps connecting thetreadle to the cross-strip and adapted to limit the upward movement ofsaid treadle.

2. The combination with standards, of a cross-strip therebetween,brackets projecting from said strips, clamps thereon, springs held attheir front ends by said clamps, a treadle secured to the rear ends ofsaid springs, a strip connecting said springs at their rear ends, andstraps connecting the treadle to the cross-strip.

In testimony whereof Ihave affixed my signature in presence of twowitnesses:

WILLIAM SHAW.

Witnesses:

SAM J. DAY, OAssIUs M. LEEDY.

